Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri Becomes Morocco’s First Woman Prime Minister
World
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI appointed Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as head of government on September 29 and tasked her with forming a new cabinet. Her appointment marks the first time in Morocco’s history that a woman has been chosen to lead the government.
The 50-year-old lawyer leads the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), which won the September 23 parliamentary election with 97 of the 395 seats in the House of Representatives. The party, however, fell short of a majority and will need to form a coalition with other political forces.
Under Morocco’s Constitution, the king appoints the head of government from the party that wins the largest number of seats in the House of Representatives. El Mansouri’s immediate task will therefore be to negotiate with other parties and build a governing coalition. PAM has said it is ready to cooperate with other political forces, while some parties have already announced that they intend to remain in opposition.
The new government will face a number of economic and social priorities. These include creating jobs, containing the rise in the cost of living, increasing wages and implementing major investment and infrastructure projects linked to Morocco’s preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
El Mansouri has extensive political experience. She previously served as mayor of Marrakesh, a member of parliament and minister responsible for national planning, territorial development, housing and urban policy. She was involved in the establishment of PAM in 2008 and has been part of the party’s collective leadership since 2024.
The election was PAM’s first parliamentary victory since the party was founded. It secured 97 seats but did not win enough to form a government on its own.
El Mansouri will now lead coalition negotiations and work on forming the new cabinet. Her appointment marks a new chapter in Morocco’s political history.
Under Morocco’s Constitution, the king appoints the head of government from the party that wins the largest number of seats in the House of Representatives. El Mansouri’s immediate task will therefore be to negotiate with other parties and build a governing coalition. PAM has said it is ready to cooperate with other political forces, while some parties have already announced that they intend to remain in opposition.
The new government will face a number of economic and social priorities. These include creating jobs, containing the rise in the cost of living, increasing wages and implementing major investment and infrastructure projects linked to Morocco’s preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
El Mansouri has extensive political experience. She previously served as mayor of Marrakesh, a member of parliament and minister responsible for national planning, territorial development, housing and urban policy. She was involved in the establishment of PAM in 2008 and has been part of the party’s collective leadership since 2024.
The election was PAM’s first parliamentary victory since the party was founded. It secured 97 seats but did not win enough to form a government on its own.
El Mansouri will now lead coalition negotiations and work on forming the new cabinet. Her appointment marks a new chapter in Morocco’s political history.
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